Today, Blizzard posted a quick note to mention that they'll be AFK from the forums for a bit enjoying their holidays. They've also announced the winners of the Your Fortune Awaits video and print ad contests and are even sharing some holiday cheer in the form of new seasonal card art! Also, there's a quick blue note regarding changes to arena ratings and item requirements.

Check it all out after the break!

Blizzard AFK for the Holidays

Just a quick note to remind us that our beloved Blue posters are human, too, and as such will be taking holiday over the next week, so expect things to be rather quiet. Hope everyone enjoys the holidays!

The holidays are upon us and, as in previous years, we will be AFK to spend it with our friends and family. While we won't be far, we may not be around as much as we usually are. (The moderation elves will still be hard at work over the holidays, however, and will know if you've been naughty or nice.)

We wish each and every one of you a very happy and safe holiday in the meantime, and can't wait to see all of you again in the new year!

Please note that these holidays should not affect any open Customer Service tickets or concerns.

The Customer Service staff are still here hard at work and will continue to be over the holiday. January isn't all that far off though.

Your Fortune Awaits Contest Winners Announced!

Blizzard has just posted the results of the Your Fortune Awaits pre-Cataclysm minisite contests!

Thanks to all of the talented artists and members of the community for seizing this opportunity and making these contests such a shattering success! It was tough to choose winners from such an amazing batch of entries, but the following Cataclysm-inspired ads, commercials, and PSAs proved to be the most creative and persuasive:

Please join us in congratulating these deserving creators -- the citizens of Azeroth will no doubt be lining up for miles to procure the indispensible wares and services you're peddling!

Blizzard Holiday Card Gallery

Blizzard has posted their 2010 Holiday Card art featuring pieces from the Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo universes! These are definitely great, but they'll never beat this piece from last year!

From everyone at Blizzard to you and yours, have a safe and happy holiday season!

To help celebrate the arrival of Greatfather Winter, we've prepared a special Holiday Card Gallery featuring the Blizzard 2010 holiday card you see below as well as a pair of festive StarCraft II and Diablo III greetings.

PvP Rating & Conquest Item Adjustments

Forgot to mention this yesterday, which is when the changes were implemented. I'd been wondering how so many people were getting those amazing PVP weapons so fast...

As many of you are aware there was an issue which allowed players to reach unexpectedly high Match Making Values. While that issue has since been resolved, we're taking steps to control what occurred while it was active.

All existing items requiring 2200 rating will have their minimum level requirement temporarily increased to make those items unusable. This change is currently planned to be reverted on 25 January.

Weapons which require a 2200 rating will be unavailable for purchase. This limitation is also planned for reversion on 25 January.

All player and team ratings for arenas will be reduced to a maximum of 1500. (Player, team and matchmaking ratings below 1500 will not be affected)

Match Making Values for all players will be set to 1500.

In addition, the "best week rating" will be reduced to a maximum of 1500 to match the rating change, which will in turn be used to determine next week's max weekly Conquest Points. The maximum Conquest Points given for next week will be set to 1343 to match the number that would be obtainable with a rating of 1500.